Pre-Meeting Assignment

1. Why is this area important to me?
2. What do I want to accomplish in this area?
3. Brainstorm: what one action can I take that will improve my situation in this area?

Meeting One - Conversation Starters

1. What does “living a balanced life mean to you? What does an ideal work life balance look and feel like for you? Has that changed over time?
2. What would be some indicators that there is a lack of balance? How would that look and feel?
3. How have changes to the way we work brought new opportunities and challenges to balancing the various domains and roles of our lives?
4. What activities do you like doing, and give you a sense of peace, fulfillment, joy, and other “feel-good” feelings? Which ones are important for you to maintain in your life at this point?

Deliverable (Due at least 48-hours before next meeting):

1. Option 1: Using the “wheel of life” model introduced in the article by Mindful Habits, map out the areas of your life following the steps outlined in the Mindful Habits article The Wheel of Life: A Work/Life Balance Self-Assessment Tool https://vereggen.com/wheel-of-life/
2. Option 2: Learn about mind-mapping as a technique for organizing aspects of your life. Search Google Images to find examples of how others have used mind mapping to visualize and analyze work life balance. Use your creative and analytical skills to begin drafting your personal work life balance mind map.

Meeting Two - Conversation Starters

1. What techniques or tools do you find helpful for prioritizing responsibilities and tasks? For managing your time?
2. What are some key ways that the people, organizations, and communities in your life help you to achieve balance?
3. How do you boost your resilience at work? What self-awareness habits do you employ?
4. What boundaries or limits do you set to help you maintain balance? Have you ever declined a task or project in order to leave time for other activities or relationships?
5. How do you transition from work to home? Are there certain routines or family or friendship rituals that you’ve adopted that work for you, for instance?
6. Are there any daily routines you try to keep that promote self-care?

Final Deliverable (Due at least 48-hours before next meeting):

Meeting Three - Conversation Starters

1. What feedback can you the Mentor offer on the Final Deliverable?
2. What questions do you the Mentee have for the Mentor?
3. What are the next steps in continuing to develop the knowledge, skills, strategies, etc. you’ve been working on?

Helpful Resources

1. Mindful Habits article The Wheel of Life: A Work/Life Balance Self-Assessment Tool: https://vereggen.com/wheel-of-life/
2. Mindful Habits article Feeling Overwhelmed? Use The 6 Areas of Focus To Get Back On Track: https://vereggen.com/six-areas-of-focus/
3. Lifehack How to Use a Mind Map to Organize Your Life: https://www.lifehack.org/articles/productivity/how-use-mind-map-organize-your-life.html
4. A sample mind map for showing the related work in general projects: https://www.researchgate.net/figure/A-sample-mind-map-for-showing-the-related-work-in-general-projects_fig1_268864501

Pre-Meeting Assignment

1. Upload your current resume and (if available) draft cover letter
2. Be prepared to discuss with your mentor: Who is the target audience of your cover letter? What industry/industries are in your focus? What occupations/positions/job roles are you planning to apply for?
3. Identify 1-2 goals you aim to accomplish through this mentoring engagement.

Meeting One - Conversation Starters

1. What are your goals for reviewing your cover letter?
2. Are you currently entering the job search or are there other opportunities you are seeking?
3. What should the cover letter include? What are recruiters in the industry looking for in a cover letter?
4. Should the cover letter address any “red flags” evident in the resume? If so, how?
5. How can the cover letter highlight aspects about your skills, qualities and experience that are not already featured in your resume?
6. What about a cover letter makes a candidate stand out and move to the next stage of the hiring process? What factors or qualities about cover letters make moving on less likely?

Deliverable (Due at least 48-hours before next meeting):

Meeting Two - Conversation Starters

1. What is the overall impression conveyed in the draft cover letter? What qualifications, experiences, and qualities are evident and highlighted?
2. To what extent do these align with the opportunities you are seeking?
3. Are there any flaws or inaccuracies that should be corrected?
4. What are some suggestions for refining/elevating the quality of your cover letter?
5. How would this letter look similar or different when targeting another job listing?

Final Deliverable (Due at least 48-hours before next meeting):

Meeting Three - Conversation Starters

1. What feedback can you the Mentor offer on the Final Deliverable?
2. What questions do you the Mentee have for the Mentor?
3. What are the next steps in continuing to develop the knowledge, skills, strategies, etc. you’ve been working on?

Helpful Resources

1. Check out the resources on cover letter writing available SUNY Potsdam Career Center https://www.potsdam.edu/studentlife/career-services/resources
2. Harvard Business Review offers resources and guidance for Business Writing; if you are unable to access full articles online, check your college library online databases or talk with a librarian. https://hbr.org/topic/business-writing?ab=articlepage-topic
3. Indeed offers examples and advice in How To Write An Entry Level Cover Letter https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/resumes-cover-letters/how-to-write-an-entry-level-cover-letter-with-examples
4. Search Indeed's Library of Resumes and Cover Letters https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/resumes-cover-letters
5. Get expert advice and excellent resources for writing effective cover letters at CareerOneStop https://www.careeronestop.org/JobSearch/Resumes/cover-letters.aspx

Pre-Meeting Assignment

1. What more can you learn about the position and the company from the company’s website and other online sources?
2. What are some ways that your values, skills and interests match up?
3. What sorts of challenges might arise? What obstacles may you have to navigate in the position?
4. Identify 1-2 goals you aim to accomplish through this mentoring engagement.

Meeting One - Conversation Starters

1. What are some ways that your values, skills and interests match up with the job descriptions you’ve gathered?
2. What are some good strategies for responding to the question, “tell me about yourself” during an interview?
3. What’s the most surprising, difficult, or challenging situation you’ve experienced during a job interview? How did you handle it?
4. What are your top 5 Do’s and Don’ts for job interviewing?
5. How do you handle nervousness when interviewing for a job?

Deliverable (Due at least 48-hours before next meeting):

1. Review the list of behavioral questions provided. While the phrasing of these questions may vary from interview to interview, the general intent of the question typically remains the same so it can be helpful to prepare your answers with that in mind.

1. Write down the various situations you’ve handled in your professional history that would display the sorts of strengths you’ll need to succeed in the role and that address some of the most common behavioral interview questions. Prepare each example using the STAR framework.
2. Practice talking through your answers out loud to make sure each story is as concise and coherent as possible. This will also help you feel more confident and natural when delivering the answers in an interview.
3. Be prepared to talk through these situations with your mentor at your next meeting.

Meeting Two - Conversation Starters

1. Describe a time when you were under a lot of pressure at work or school. How did you react?
2. Talk about a time when you set and achieved a specific highly challenging goal.
3. Can you describe a time you worked with a team to complete a project?
4. Share an example of a time you had to make a difficult decision. What did you do?

1. What are some suggestions for improving my executive presence?
2. How could I have communicated my idea more clearly?
3. Does my communication style support the message I intended to deliver?

Final Deliverable (Due at least 48-hours before next meeting):

1. What you value/appreciate about and learned from the mentoring experience.
2. Your next steps for preparing for job interviews.
3. Two strategies you plan to adopt to hone your interviewing skills.

Meeting Three - Conversation Starters

1. What feedback can you the Mentor offer on the Final Deliverable?
2. What questions do you the Mentee have for the Mentor?
3. What are the next steps in continuing to develop the knowledge, skills, strategies, etc. you’ve been working on?

Helpful Resources

1. Check out the resources on interviewing available SUNY Potsdam Career Center https://www.potsdam.edu/studentlife/career-services/resources
2. Indeed: How to Prepare for an Interview https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/interviewing/how-to-prepare-for-an-interview
3. Indeed article on How to Use the STAR Interview Response Technique https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/interviewing/how-to-use-the-star-interview-response-technique
4. Top Resume What is Your Body Language Saying About You https://www.topresume.com/career-advice/what-is-your-body-language-saying-about-you-during-an-interview
5. Indeed Thank you Letter to Mentor https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/career-development/thank-you-letter-to-mentor

Pre-Meeting Assignment

1. What kind of information and resources are available through your college’s Career Center to learn more about majors and careers?
2. Who on your campus can answer your questions about careers and how they relate to academic majors? Internships?
3. Where’s a great place to start exploring majors and careers?

Meeting One - Conversation Starters

1. What are you passionate about? What makes you enthusiastic?
2. Thinking about your student or professional roles, what skills and activities do you enjoy the most, and why?
3. What factors are important to you when considering a career path at this point in your life? Has that changed over time?
4. Brainstorm: What kind of information would be helpful to better understand this major/career and if it’s a path you want to pursue?

Deliverable (Due at least 48-hours before next meeting):

1. Browse, search, and review online resources to gather facts and information about a major, field, and/or occupation of your interest. Resources are provided. What kind of information is available? Which information is relevant and important for you to know?
2. Create a “Profile” of the major, field, and/or occupation in written format, highlighting the type of information you have gathered your key findings from the exercise. Use the Career Profiling Worksheet and any formats (diagram or chart, list, narrative, etc.) you find helpful to communicate the information.

Meeting Two - Conversation Starters

1. Reflecting on the profile, how does this information relate to your own interests, passions, values?
2. What questions remain about this or other majors or careers?
3. What kinds of hands-on, real-world experience would you like to gain more insight into the career or field?
4. Are there opportunities for levering or building social connections to learn more?

Final Deliverable (Due at least 48-hours before next meeting):

1. What you value/appreciate about and learned from the mentoring experience.
2. Your ideas for next steps to learn more, including through real-world experience.

Meeting Three - Conversation Starters

1. What feedback can you the Mentor offer on the Final Deliverable?
2. What questions do you the Mentee have for the Mentor?
3. What are the next steps in continuing to develop the knowledge, skills, strategies, etc. you’ve been working on?

Helpful Resources

1. US News & World Report 10 Things to Know About Selecting a College Major https://www.usnews.com/education/best-colleges/slideshows/10-things-to-know-about-selecting-a-college-major
2. Princeton Review Guide to Choosing College Majors
3. https://www.princetonreview.com/college-advice/choosing-college-majors
4. https://www.bls.gov/emp/tables/fastest-declining-occupations.htm
5. The College Post, How to Choose Your College Major: A Complete Guide
6. https://thecollegepost.com/choose-college-major/
7. OneStop Explore Careers https://www.careeronestop.org/ExploreCareers/explore-careers.aspx
8. OneStop Occupation Profile https://www.careeronestop.org/GetMyFuture/Toolkit/Occupation-Profile.aspx
9. SUNY Potsdam Career Information and Resources https://www.potsdam.edu/studentlife/career-services/explore-your-path/career-information-and-resources
10. Browse O*Net Career Clusters https://www.onetonline.org/find/career
11. Check out these resources available SUNY Potsdam Career Center:
12. Interest Assessment https://www.careeronestop.org/GetMyFuture/Toolkit/interest-assessment.aspx
13. Work Values Matcher https://www.careeronestop.org/GetMyFuture/ExploreCareers/what-are-your-work-values.aspx
14. Indeed Thank you Letter to Mentor https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/career-development/thank-you-letter-to-mentor

Pre-Meeting Assignment

1. What does success look like for you? What kind of work are you doing? What is the career you have?
2. What about areas other than career, such as health, family, education, spirituality, and social life?
3. What kind of resources and information would be helpful to you in formulating your long-term goals?

Meeting One - Conversation Starters

1. Where would you like to be in one year? In five years?
2. What would be the perfect role for you? Imagine you are in that role. It’s 3 pm on a Thursday. What are you doing? Why would you like it so much?
3. Why are these goals important to you? How do they align with your values, interests, and passions?
4. Has your definition of success changed over the years?
5. What framework or tools do you use for long-range visioning and planning around your personal and professional goals?

Deliverable (Due at least 48-hours before next meeting):

1. Specific: What exactly do you want to accomplish? What outcome(s) or change are you wanting to make happen?
2. Measurable: How can you track your progress? What kind of inputs and/or outputs will you use to measure progress?
3. Achievable: Can you achieve the desired outcome with your current resources (time, skills, etc.)? If not, what resources are needed?
4. Relevant: How does this goal align with your values and ambitions? Why is this goal important to you?
5. Time-bound: By what point in time will you accomplish this goal? Can you identify a specific date or month, for instance?

Meeting Two - Conversation Starters

1. How was your experience with the goal-setting exercise using the SMART framework? Are there criteria you would like to further develop or refine?
2. What strengths and experiences will help you achieve your goals? What are some potential sources of support?
3. What are some potential obstacles?
4. What are the action steps you need to take this year to make progress and focus your efforts? What about in the next 2-5 years?
5. How will you monitor and assess your progress to stay on track or make adjustments if needed?

Final Deliverable (Due at least 48-hours before next meeting):

Meeting Three - Conversation Starters

1. What feedback can you the Mentor offer on the Final Deliverable?
2. What questions do you the Mentee have for the Mentor?
3. What are the next steps in continuing to develop the knowledge, skills, strategies, etc. you’ve been working on?

Helpful Resources

1. SMART Goals: Definitions and Examples https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/career-development/smart-goals
2. Setting Goals to Improve Your Career https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/career-development/setting-goals-to-improve-your-career
3. Mindtools offers a range of resources and guidance on goal setting. Free access up to 3 articles: https://www.mindtools.com/

Pre-Meeting Assignment

Meeting One - Conversation Starters

1. What technologies do you use in your everyday work roles? How do they help you do your work?
2. What’s a good methodology or tool for managing team-based work projects and commitments?
3. What are your preferred methods or techniques for evaluating the pros and cons of a strategy or course of action?
4. How do you learn to use new tools and technologies? What are some tips for getting comfortable using new tools?
5. What tools and techniques are emerging? What are the “must haves” in the toolkits of those entering the field?

Deliverable (Due at least 48-hours before next meeting):

Meeting Two - Conversation Starters

1. What does your mind map reveal about the tools and technologies in the industry?
2. What questions do you have based upon the mind map you’ve created?
3. What kinds of hands-on, real-world experiences (internships, field observations) would likely provide good opportunities to learn more about these tools/techniques?
4. What one or two techniques or tools would you like to gain proficiency, and why?
5. What are some suggested next steps for doing so?

Final Deliverable (Due at least 48-hours before next meeting):

Meeting Three - Conversation Starters

1. What feedback can you the Mentor offer on the Final Deliverable?
2. What questions do you the Mentee have for the Mentor?
3. What are the next steps in continuing to develop the knowledge, skills, strategies, etc. you’ve been working on?

Helpful Resources

1. Top 25 Lean Tools & Techniques [for Manufacturing] https://www.leanproduction.com/top-25-lean-tools/
2. Positive Psychology 13 Social Work Methods & Interventions for Helping Others https://positivepsychology.com/social-work-methods/
3. Indeed Guide To Understanding Marketing Tools https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/career-development/marketing-tools

1. MindMapping: What is a Mind Map? https://www.mindmapping.com/mind-map
2. Piktochart https://piktochart.com/
3. MS Office https://templates.office.com/en-us/posters
4. Canva https://www.canva.com/pricing/

Pre-Meeting Assignment

Meeting One - Conversation Starters

1. What big questions, issues, work environments, and job duties excite you?
2. What inspired/s you to enter into this line of work?
3. What surprised you about this line of work that you didn’t anticipate?
4. How would you define success in this role?
5. What attitudes do you need to have to be successful in this line of work?
6. What are the skills and/or information in this line of work that you can only learn by doing?

Deliverable (Due at least 48-hours before next meeting):

Meeting Two - Conversation Starters

1. How do your needs, skills, and strengths fit with this career?
2. Where do you see this role in 5 years? How do you think it will have changed? What skills do you think will be most valued or sought after?
3. Was there ever a role you applied for and landed, but weren't 100% qualified to do? How did you proceed?
4. What do you know now that you wish you knew when you started?

Final Deliverable (Due at least 48-hours before next meeting):

1. What you value/appreciate about and learned from the mentoring experience.
2. How what you have learned is useful for making decisions about your career path.
3. Your next steps (e.g. concrete action steps you plan to take to learn more about the career, build needed skills, etc.).

Meeting Three - Conversation Starters

1. What feedback can you the Mentor offer on the Final Deliverable?
2. What questions do you the Mentee have for the Mentor?
3. What are the next steps in continuing to develop the knowledge, skills, strategies, etc. you’ve been working on?

Helpful Resources

1. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook https://www.bls.gov/ooh/home.htm
2. Career One Stop Career Profiles https://www.careeronestop.org/ExploreCareers/Learn/career-profiles.aspx
3. Indeed offers advice for using job search tools to learn about job roles at https://blog.linkedin.com/2019/february/discover-quick-helpful-insights-on-your-job-search
4. Check out the resources available SUNY Potsdam Career Center https://www.potsdam.edu/studentlife/career-services/resources

Pre-Meeting Assignment

1. What does it mean to “make the most of your college experience”? What would a student who is “making the most” of it actually do?
2. Imagine you are an “outsider” to the college seeking to learn about the institution and opportunities for students to make the most of their college experience. What would you want to know? Where would you look to find out? Who or what would you consult?
3. What are 1-2 goals you have for this mentoring experience?

Meeting One - Conversation Starters

1. What does it mean to “make the most of your college experience”? What would a student do who is “making the most” of it?
2. How did you develop connections with your professors outside of the classroom?
3. What do you consider to be the most useful/valuable yet often overlooked or underutilized resource(s) for students at this school?
4. What types of student activities are available that can be helpful for developing your personal and professional interests and skills?
5. How do you learn about opportunities to get involved at this college? What channels do you use?
6. Are there interests you have and would like to pursue?

Deliverable (Due at least 48-hours before next meeting):

Meeting Two - Conversation Starters

1. Given the range of options to get involved, what meets your interests and needs? How do you decide which ones to pursue?
2. How did/does your needs and interest evolve as a college student over the course of your academic career?
3. How did/do you juggle academics, extracurricular and sports, friends, family, and a job?
4. Did/do you take advantage of opportunities to get involved in the broader community, such as through volunteerism, participation in local events or organizations, or work? How does this enhance the college experience?
5. What are your suggestions for “making the most” of the college experience? What are your recommended next steps?

Final Deliverable (Due at least 48-hours before next meeting):

1. What you value/appreciate about and learned from the mentoring experience.
2. 2-3 ways you intend to increase engagement by building social connections and accessing resources to enhance your college experience.
3. Your concrete next steps.

Meeting Three - Conversation Starters

1. What feedback can you the Mentor offer on the Final Deliverable?
2. What questions do you the Mentee have for the Mentor?
3. What are the next steps in continuing to develop the knowledge, skills, strategies, etc. you’ve been working on?

Helpful Resources

1. Check out the resources available SUNY Potsdam Career Center https://www.potsdam.edu/studentlife/career-services/resources
2. SUNY Potsdam Academic Calendar https://www.potsdam.edu/academics/academic-calendar
3. SUNY Potsdam Academic Resources https://www.potsdam.edu/academics/resources
4. SUNY Potsdam Lougheed Center for Applied Learning https://www.potsdam.edu/academics/appliedlearning
5. SUNY Potsdam Campus Life: Get Involved https://getinvolved.potsdam.edu/organization/campuslife
6. SUNY Potsdam Health & Wellness https://www.potsdam.edu/studentlife/wellness
7. SUNY Potsdam Student Support https://www.potsdam.edu/studentlife/support
8. SUNY Potsdam Student Success Center https://www.potsdam.edu/academics/resources/student-success-center
9. SUNY Potsdam Veteran Support Services https://www.potsdam.edu/studentlife/support/veteran-support-services
10. LinkedIn How to Maximize Your College Experience https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/how-maximize-your-college-experience-steven-sutherland/
11. Psychology Today 11 Ways to Get the Most Out of the College Experience https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/culture-in-mind/201406/11-ways-get-the-most-out-the-college-experience

Pre-Meeting Assignment

Meeting One - Conversation Starters

1. How do you evaluate a job offer? How do you determine if it’s equitable and in line with what you bring to the table?
2. What kind of information should be included in a job offer?
3. What questions are useful for gaining a complete understanding of the compensation structure, including factors like opportunities for professional development and growth?
4. In addition to salary, what factors are often negotiable?
5. What is the first step in accepting a job offer?

Deliverable (Due at least 48-hours before next meeting):

1. What questions remain about the position and expectations for performing this role in the organization?
2. What questions do you have about the compensation structure, including opportunities for growth?

Meeting Two - Conversation Starters

1. Reflecting upon the job posting information you’ve gathered, how does this line up with your skills, interests, and needs?
2. What questions do you have about the compensation structure, including opportunities for growth?
3. What are some suggestions for becoming a more assertive negotiator?
4. Can we role-play asking for a higher salary or additional benefits?

Final Deliverable (Due at least 48-hours before next meeting):

1. What you value/appreciate about and learned from the mentoring experience.
2. Strategies or tactics you feel competent to use in order to self-advocate and negotiate in the hiring process.

Meeting Three - Conversation Starters

1. What feedback can you the Mentor offer on the Final Deliverable?
2. What questions do you the Mentee have for the Mentor?
3. What are the next steps in continuing to develop the knowledge, skills, strategies, etc. you’ve been working on?

Helpful Resources

1. Types of Compensation Plans and How to Evaluate Them https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/pay-salary/compensation-type
2. Salary Negotiation Scripts for Any Job https://www.glassdoor.com/blog/salary-negotiation-scripts-for-any-job/
3. Pushing for Equal Pay: Everything You Need to Know https://www.glassdoor.com/blog/pushing-for-equal-pay-everything-you-need-to-know/
4. How to Negotiate Your Salary https://www.glassdoor.com/blog/guide/how-to-negotiate-your-salary/
5. Money Under 30 Best Salary Information Websites
6. https://www.moneyunder30.com/best-salary-information-websites
7. Glassdoor Salary Calculator https://www.glassdoor.com/Salaries/know-your-worth.htm
8. Salary Expert https://www.salaryexpert.com/
9. Gitlab Compensation Calculator https://about.gitlab.com/handbook/total-rewards/compensation/compensation-calculator/

Pre-Meeting Assignment

1. Read the article by Indeed on 4 Different Ways to Communicate in the Workplace then take an inventory of your strengths and weaknesses.
2. Reflect upon the following for each of the 4 dimensions discussed in the article (verbal, non-verbal, visual, written) :
   1. What are your top interpersonal skills?
   2. What could you be doing better?
    

Meeting One - Conversation Starters

1. How have your interpersonal skills factored into your success? Can you think of a time or situation where your skills set you apart or allowed you to advance academically or professionally?
2. Are there particular resources, tools, or role models that you have used to guide your communication practices and helped you to develop your own communication style?
3. What’s one of the most challenging conversations you remember having?
4. What have you learned about being an effective communicator in a team or organization?
5. Focusing on one of the 4 ways of communication (verbal, non-verbal, visual, written), what do you consider as the top 5 Do’s and Don’ts?

Deliverable (Due at least 48-hours before next meeting):

1. Complete the short communication skills self-assessment in Part 1 of the Boosting Your Professional Communication Skills Worksheet.
   1. What are your top interpersonal skills?
   2. What could you be doing better?
   3. Retain a copy of the skills assessment for your records.
    
2. Write (and upload) a professional-quality email/letter to your mentor in which you communicate the following (at minimum):
   1. Your top interpersonal skills;
   2. What you could be doing better;
   3. What skills you would like to focus on at your next meeting;
   4. Your appreciation for your mentor’s support.
    

Meeting Two - Conversation Starters

1. What feedback can the mentor offer on your communication skills? What do they observe as your areas of strength? Areas to target for improvement?
2. What strengths are you wanting to build upon? What challenges are you wanting to overcome?
3. Where do you think you can make the most progress?
4. What suggestions do you have for asking for feedback from peers and supervisors? How do you integrate feedback into your work performance?
5. How do you assess the development of these skills over time to ensure efforts to improve are working?

Final Deliverable (Due at least 48-hours before next meeting):

Meeting Three - Conversation Starters

1. What feedback can you the Mentor offer on the Final Deliverable?
2. What questions do you the Mentee have for the Mentor?
3. What are the next steps in continuing to develop the knowledge, skills, strategies, etc. you’ve been working on?

Helpful Resources

1. College Info Geek: The Beginner’s Guide to Professional Communication https://collegeinfogeek.com/professional-communication-guide/
2. Indeed How to Write a Professional Email https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/career-development/how-to-write-a-professional-email?from=careeradvice-US
3. MasterClass Experts offer their advice on How To Improve Your Interpersonal Communication Skills https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-improve-your-interpersonal-communication-skills#6-elements-of-interpersonal-communication
4. Harvard Business Review offers resources and guidance for Business Communication https://hbr.org/topic/business-communication and Business Writing https://hbr.org/topic/business-writing?ab=articlepage-topic ; if you are unable to access full text articles online, check your college library online databases or talk with a librarian.

Pre-Meeting Assignment

1. What situations in your academic and professional life do/will involve public speaking?
2. Reflect upon your last few experiences with public speaking. What skills were involved? What went well? What could you improve upon?
3. What public speaking role are you currently preparing for, and how are you preparing for this role?
4. What skills or techniques would you like to work on with your mentor?

Meeting One - Conversation Starters

1. In what ways is public speaking a skill you use in your academic/professional career?
2. What do you think are keys to connecting with your audience?
3. Who are your favorite speakers to watch/listen to, and why? Are there any highly visible speakers that you follow or have inspired or influenced your own speaking style?
4. How did you develop your verbal and non-verbal skills for speaking in front of groups?
5. What public speaking role are you currently preparing for, and what suggestions do you have for?

Deliverable (Due at least 48-hours before next meeting):

1. Share the draft presentation, speech, outline, or other content you plan to use for your upcoming public speaking role with your mentor.
2. In a separate document, provide your mentor more information about the upcoming role by answering the following questions:
   1. What is your speaking role? For instance, are you delivering a presentation (solo or as a group), delivering a speech, participating in a public discussion or debate?
   2. What is the context of the speaking role? Is this in-person or virtual? Who is the audience?
   3. What is your objective? For instance, is there a specific call to action, or point of view you want others to consider?
   4. Practice delivering the presentation/speech/etc. What areas do you feel confident in? What areas would you like guidance from your mentor?
    

Meeting Two - Conversation Starters

1. Can you practice the delivery with your mentor as the audience?
   1. What strengths did you demonstrate in your content and delivery? What worked?
   2. How could you improve upon the next iteration?
    
2. Have you ever had a public speaking engagement that didn’t go as well as you hoped? How did you handle it?
3. What practices can you recommend for dealing with nervousness when speaking to groups?
4. What strategies do you use to continue honing your skills? Are there any courses, workshops, role models, or other resources that are/have been helpful?

Final Deliverable (Due at least 48-hours before next meeting):

1. What you value/appreciate about and learned from the mentoring experience.
2. Your next steps for preparing for the upcoming speaking role.
3. Two strategies you plan to adopt to continue developing your public speaking skills.

Meeting Three - Conversation Starters

1. What feedback can you the Mentor offer on the Final Deliverable?
2. What questions do you the Mentee have for the Mentor?
3. What are the next steps in continuing to develop the knowledge, skills, strategies, etc. you’ve been working on?

Helpful Resources

1. Toastmaster Public Speaking Tips https://www.toastmasters.org/Resources/Public-Speaking-Tips
2. Portent 3 Surprising Ways to Improve Your Public Speaking Skills https://www.portent.com/blog/marketing-strategy/3-surprising-ways-to-instantly-improve-your-public-speaking-skills.htm
3. Top Resume What is Your Body Language Saying About You https://www.topresume.com/career-advice/what-is-your-body-language-saying-about-you-during-an-interview
4. Indeed Thank you Letter to Mentor https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/career-development/thank-you-letter-to-mentor

Pre-Meeting Assignment

Meeting One - Conversation Starters

1. What are the goals you aim to accomplish through this mentoring engagement?
2. Where did you grow up? Have you done any traveling? If so, where?
3. What hobbies, sports, and other interests do you have or want to pursue? For instance, do you consider yourself a “foodie”? Do you engage in winter sports?
4. Other than your career goals, what other goals do you have, and how might these inform your decision on where to relocate? For instance, are you interested in learning a new language and experiencing other cultures?
5. Do you have particular medical or other personal needs that influence your choice of residence?
6. Are there geographic areas where jobs of interest to you are expected to grow?
7. Where are you applying for jobs? What types of jobs? What types of companies? What’s motivating you to apply for these opportunities?
8. What are the pros and cons of relocating?
9. Where do you want to be in 5-years time?

Deliverable (Due at least 48-hours before next meeting):

Meeting Two - Conversation Starters

1. What did you learn about your places of interest?
2. Do your learnings get you more excited or less excited about relocating?
3. Do you have any social and family support in the area you wish to relocate?
4. What factors are you including in your decision making? Where does pay, lifestyle, connections, work culture, and other factors play in your decision?
5. Suggestions on next steps when considering relocation.

Final Deliverable (Due at least 48-hours before next meeting):

Meeting Three - Conversation Starters

1. What feedback can you the Mentor offer on the Final Deliverable?
2. What questions do you the Mentee have for the Mentor?
3. What are the next steps in continuing to develop the knowledge, skills, strategies, etc. you’ve been working on?

Helpful Resources

1. Access resources for SUNY Potsdam students at the Career Services office​ https://www.potsdam.edu/studentlife/career-services
2. Do research on job postings through professional associations related to your field https://www.careeronestop.org/Toolkit/Training/find-professional-associations.aspx
3. Make connections (requires an account) and browse/search postings Linkedin https://www.linkedin.com/
4. See LinkedIn’s tips for making job searching more productive https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/finding-a-job/how-to-find-the-best-jobs-for-you
5. Visit state (e.g. New York State https://www.cs.ny.gov/) and Federal https://www.usajobs.gov/government employment websites

Research on locations:

1. US Census Bureau, Housing Topics https://www.census.gov/topics/housing/guidance/topics.html
2. City-Data.com provides detailed, informative profiles for every city in the United States that includes data on a range of topics from crime and schools to weather patterns and entertainment. https://www.city-data.com/
3. Highspeedinternet.com is an easy to use, interactive tool for finding the location that is right for you. You choose the qualities that matter to you across a spectrum of options — political leanings, crime rates, walkability, affordability, religious affiliations, weather and more — and it shows you a list of cities that suit them. https://www.highspeedinternet.com/best-cities-to-live-work-remotely
4. Google Maps is the Swiss Army knife of mapping applications. Learn what Google Maps can do for you in your research on places to relocate. https://www.pcmag.com/how-to/google-maps-tips-tricks
5. MyMove.com offers tips and resources for finding a home for rent https://www.mymove.com/buying-selling/guides/best-home-rental-sites/
6. Consider searching for websites that provide information on locations where you can explore and grow your interests! For example:
   1. Looking for trails and parks to explore? Check out AllTrails.com! https://www.alltrails.com/?referrer=trailscom
   2. Interested in feeding your inner foodie? Find the top cities for foodies in US News & World Report Best Foodie Cities in the US! https://travel.usnews.com/rankings/best-foodie-destinations-in-the-usa/

1. Indeed’s advice for writing a Thank you Letter to Mentor https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/career-development/thank-you-letter-to-mentor

Pre-Meeting Assignment

1. Upload your current resume
2. Identify 1-2 goals you aim to accomplish through this mentoring engagement.

Meeting One - Conversation Starters

1. What are the goals you aim to accomplish through this mentoring engagement?
2. How has your resume changed over the past 2 weeks, 2 months, and 2 years?
3. What is your favorite thing to talk about when someone reviews your resume?
4. Do you think your personality is shown via your resume?
5. Do you think you have enough diverse work experience showcased?
6. How is leadership exhibited on your resume?
7. What types of measurable results do you showcase on your resume?
8. On a scale of 1 to 5, how confident are you with your resume?

Deliverable (Due at least 48-hours before next meeting):

Meeting Two - Conversation Starters

1. What (if anything) did you change about your resume? Why did you make this change?
2. What section do you think needs the most work?
3. What professional development opportunities might help you better populate your resume?
4. Is your resume aligned with your LinkedIn profile?
5. How do companies use / review resumes when applying for jobs?
6. Suggestions on best time spent on resume improvements…
7. On a scale of 1 to 5, how confident are you with your resume now?

Final Deliverable (Due at least 48-hours before next meeting):

Meeting Three - Conversation Starters

1. What feedback can you the Mentor offer on the Final Deliverable?
2. What questions do you the Mentee have for the Mentor?
3. What are the next steps in continuing to develop the knowledge, skills, strategies, etc. you’ve been working on?

Helpful Resources

1. ​Download/Copy this Personal Data Worksheet to organize your information before integrating it into your resume https://docs.google.com/document/d/150S4A1bKDSOgnM2hXWvgABU9hPhgSRrAY-SRwE3Fv4Y/edit?usp=sharing
2. CareerOneStop Skills Matcher https://www.careeronestop.org/Toolkit/Skills/skills-matcher.aspx and
3. CareerOneStop Values Assessment & Matcher https://www.careeronestop.org/ExploreCareers/Assessments/work-values.aspx
4. The National Association of Colleges & Employers (NACE) offers a quick Career Skills Assessment https://www.ubalt.edu/campus-life/career-center/career-services-online/career-cycle/documents/Careercompetencies.pdf
5. National Association of Colleges & Employers: Are YOU Career Ready from an employer's perspective? Read THIS! https://www.naceweb.org/career-readiness/competencies/are-college-graduates-career-ready/
6. Review Peterson's recommendations for listing awards and accomplishments https://www.petersons.com/blog/career-planning-resume-writing-honors-awards-and-accomplishments/
7. Search Indeed's Library of Resumes and Cover Letters https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/resumes-cover-letters
8. Get expert advice and excellent resources for writing effective resumes and cover letters at CareerOneStop https://www.careeronestop.org/JobSearch/Resumes/cover-letters.aspx

Pre-Meeting Assignment

1. basic career assets, such as jobs you've held and courses you've taken, computer or technical skills you’ve developed, and relevant service, hobbies, awards, etc.
2. unique-to-you assets, like your strongest skills and values, accomplishments, and special knowledge you’ve gained through your life experience.

Meeting One - Conversation Starters

1. What are your goals for the job search?
2. How did you find your current or most recent position? How did it align with your interests, skills, and abilities?
3. What advice can you offer on finding jobs in the local community or industry?
4. A major part of the job search is defining what you are looking for. What are your goals for the job search? What would be a good fit?

Deliverable (Due at least 48-hours before next meeting):

1. Browse O*Net Career Clusters https://www.onetonline.org/find/career
   1. What keywords, job or career titles, or roles are useful for describing the type of work roles or career you are looking for?
   2. What type of position best aligns with your interests and assets?
    
2. Keep in mind it’s okay to apply for a job even if you don’t meet all the requirements. Consider opportunities for growth! Suggested reading: Forbes Should You Apply For a Job If You Don’t Meet All the Requirements? https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbescoachescouncil/2016/03/31/should-you-apply-to-that-job-if-you-dont-meet-all-the-requirements/?sh=7b6ae9d318c2
3. Locate 2-3 job postings that align with your interests and assets.

Meeting Two - Conversation Starters

1. How did you go about searching for these positions?
2. How do your skills and abilities match up with the careers or job roles of interest to you?
3. What are some suggestions for keeping track of job applications?
4. How can the job search process help to refine your assets (social media profiles, portfolio, resume, cover letter)?
5. What are your suggestions for next steps in the job search process?

Final Deliverable (Due at least 48-hours before next meeting):

Meeting Three - Conversation Starters

1. What feedback can you the Mentor offer on the Final Deliverable?
2. What questions do you the Mentee have for the Mentor?
3. What are the next steps in continuing to develop the knowledge, skills, strategies, etc. you’ve been working on?

Helpful Resources

1. Forbes Should You Apply For a Job If You Don’t Meet All the Requirements? https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbescoachescouncil/2016/03/31/should-you-apply-to-that-job-if-you-dont-meet-all-the-requirements/?sh=7b6ae9d318c2
2. Jobvite 2021 Recruiter Nation Report (PDF) https://www.jobvite.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Jobvite-RecruiterNation-Report-WEB-2.pdf
3. Do research on job postings through professional associations related to your field
4. Browse and search postings on Indeed and see their tips for making job searching more productive
5. Browse O*Net Career Clusters https://www.onetonline.org/find/career
6. Indeed 13 Steps to Finding a New Job https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/finding-a-job/how-to-find-a-new-job
7. Indeed offers advice for using job search tools at https://blog.linkedin.com/2019/february/discover-quick-helpful-insights-on-your-job-search Check out the resources available SUNY Potsdam Career Center https://www.potsdam.edu/studentlife/career-services/resources

Pre-Meeting Assignment

Meeting One - Conversation Starters

1. What do you see as the top concerns or issues facing your industry as the result of the pandemic and related forces? How have priorities shifted?
2. How has the pandemic changed the way your organization operates? How have policies and expectations evolved to enable the organization to respond, recover, and thrive?
3. What new skills, technologies and tools have you learned to use as the result of COVID-19 and our adaptations to it? What challenges have you had to overcome adapting to these demands?
4. What are thought and industry leaders saying about strategies for moving forward?

Deliverable (Due at least 48-hours before next meeting):

Meeting Two - Conversation Starters

1. In what ways do you see the workplace and your work differently than before the pandemic?
2. What are some key ways your work life has changed as the result of shifting norms?
3. Have your own priorities shifted through the course of the pandemic, and if so, how?
4. What is your experience working from home/outside the organization? What strategies do you use to stay connected to your colleagues?
5. What mindsets and skills do you think are helpful in navigating the post-COVID work environment? Are there certain leadership mindsets and skills you see as essential given the changes we are seeing?
6. In what ways has creativity and agility helped you develop positive solutions for you or your organization as you navigate from the traditional workplace to the new (and evolving) “normal”?

Final Deliverable (Due at least 48-hours before next meeting):

Meeting Three - Conversation Starters

1. What feedback can you the Mentor offer on the Final Deliverable?
2. What questions do you the Mentee have for the Mentor?
3. What are the next steps in continuing to develop the knowledge, skills, strategies, etc. you’ve been working on?

Helpful Resources

1. MindMapping: What is a Mind Map? https://www.mindmapping.com/mind-map
2. Forbes Changes to Expect in the Post-COVID Workplace https://www.forbes.com/sites/ashiraprossack1/2021/04/12/4-changes-to-expect-in-the-post-covid-workplace/?sh=240220015542
3. Fortune 500 Executives Tell Us What Their Post-COVID Workplaces Will Look Like https://www.greatplacetowork.com/resources/blog/new-survey-fortune-500-ceos-reveal-what-the-future-office-will-look-like-post-covid
4. ESRI The Post-COVID Office Takes Shape https://www.esri.com/about/newsroom/publications/wherenext/office-planning-during-and-after-covid/
5. McKinsey & Company The Future of Work After COVID-19 https://www.mckinsey.com/featured-insights/future-of-work/the-future-of-work-after-covid-19